Well, they won't be repairing the shuttle. The experts say that it shouldn't pose a problem. Of course the true test is whether the thing blows up on re-entry (hmmm.... blows on entry). I don't know, but I wouldn't be travelling on that shuttle. It looks like everytime it goes up, something falls off. It's like taking a flight and you notice that the plane wing has a hole in it at 35000 ft. And then you have a depate about whether to go outside and fix it.
Space shuttle
- Thread starter Worf
- Start date
The decision not to repair, kind of surprised me too. You've got a three inch hole in the wing and deep enough that it goes down to the final aluminum protective layer. The wing is the most vulnerable part of the aircraft to this kind of damage, and as in the last disaster, the 3000 F degree heat on reentry can act like a blow torch funneled into the open gash. Let's hope they know what the hell they're doing. Personally, I don't think they should wait until 2010 to retire the fleet. The wheels are coming off.Worf said:
This is unfathomable. They may think another space walk is risky, but how can they justify not doing everything within their power in regard to safety? They have the parts and ability to do a repair.
I would fix the damn thing just for PR reasons alone.
NASA is broken. Perhaps they've all been drinking.
I would fix the damn thing just for PR reasons alone.
NASA is broken. Perhaps they've all been drinking.
I would hate to be in the shoes of the person who made this decision....if we end up with another space tragedy! Criminal charges might apply!
Also, I cannot fathom why they cannot attach a protective steel cage around the vulnerable areas to protect against flying debris during lift-off...
it could detach and break away once in orbit, leaving the shuttle tiles in pristine condition for the return trip.
Also, I cannot fathom why they cannot attach a protective steel cage around the vulnerable areas to protect against flying debris during lift-off...
it could detach and break away once in orbit, leaving the shuttle tiles in pristine condition for the return trip.
The shuttle separated from the International Space Station this morning, a day earlier than had been planned, so it can land on Tuesday, before Hurricane Dean might hit the U.S.
While it's still in orbit, if the sky is clear over Toronto tonight (Sunday), we should be able to see the shuttle pass almost directly overhead a little after 9:08PM, with the ISS following a few seconds behind. If you don't know because you haven't seen them before, they look like relatively bright stars moving slowly across the sky, in this case from NorthWest to SouthEast.
While it's still in orbit, if the sky is clear over Toronto tonight (Sunday), we should be able to see the shuttle pass almost directly overhead a little after 9:08PM, with the ISS following a few seconds behind. If you don't know because you haven't seen them before, they look like relatively bright stars moving slowly across the sky, in this case from NorthWest to SouthEast.
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I wonder how much of the decision not to repair was influenced by the desire to get the thing back on earth before the hurricane hits the Houston area????
Doesn't appear that had anything to do with the decision not to repair. Of all the different teams at NASA asked (I think the number was around thirty) only one recommended repair. Since the final decision was made on Thursday, there was more than enough time to try and fix it if they had wanted. Chances are the shuttle will return safely, but what I don't understand is why they are willing to roll the dice even if the odds are in their favor. Why not fix the damn thing just in case?LancsLad said:
Well, there are thousands of ideas and suggestions associated with the Space program that were or are as easy as ABC....LKD said:
Of course they would go through testing....what ideas don't?
Designing a whole new shuttle is much more expensive, by far, than making safety enhancements to the current model, which will allow the program to continue.
Another space tragedy, heaven forbid, would result in another suspension of
the program while a new model is constructed....setting things back many years at much greater cost
When it comes to the space program my favourite story is how the USA spent hundreds of millions of ( 1960's ) dollars developing a pen to work in the weightless environment of space. The canny russians used a pencil instead.
Suspension? No, it would completely kill the current shuttle program. They wouldn't wait until 2010, they'd end it now, especially considering they knew of the damage and did nothing. I don't think that will happen, but clearly they're taking a chance on something that could have been repaired.kbluejayk said:
Yeah, that is a good story. Too bad it's BS. Best not to believe everything you hear on the internet.LancsLad said:
http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/spacepen.asp
They can also land in Florida.LancsLad said:
Performing repairs in space can potentially create further safety issues.
Asterix said:
IF snopes is right ( even though on the internet) then I stand corrected. I hadn't actually read about it on the web instead had heard it long ago when on a course with some US Spec ops guys. It was being used as an example of stressing that the obvious may be right in front of you when you face an unknown challenge. It did make for a great example though.
lookingforitallthetime said:
I was thinking more in terms of Mission control being compromised by the storm. But you are correct.
